‘Woke Europe not facing civilisational erasure,’ says EU’s Kallas after Rubio’s Munich speech – as it happened

The Guardian World

by Jakub Krupa

February 15, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, MEP Urmas Kallas, has expressed cautious optimism about Europe’s enduring appeal as a global destination, despite concerns over its “woke” image. Speaking in response to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s recent remarks in Munich, Kallas emphasized that many countries still aspire to join the EU, suggesting that the bloc retains significant soft power and吸引力. However, she also raised doubts about the effectiveness of appointing a dedicated EU envoy for talks aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Instead, Kallas stressed the importance of having a clear and unified mandate before engaging in negotiations with Moscow. Kallas argued that what matters most in diplomacy is not just securing a seat at the table but knowing exactly what to demand from adversaries like Russia. She proposed presenting EU member states with a concrete list of “asks” for Russian concessions, ensuring that any negotiations are aligned with shared goals and backed by a strong mandate. Her approach reflects a strategic pragmatism, as she highlighted an Estonian proverb: demanding too much risks achieving little, while asking for too little or nothing could lead to unfavorable outcomes. This cautious yet principled stance underscores the complexities of navigating relations with Russia, particularly amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine. Kallas’s comments also highlight the EU’s internal divisions and challenges in coordinating a unified response to the conflict. By focusing on clarity and consensus, she aims to avoid fragmented negotiations that could undermine Europe’s position or allow Russia to exploit divisions within the bloc. Ultimately, Kallas’s remarks reflect the broader struggle for European unity and strategic cohesion in addressing one of the most pressing geopolitical issues of our time. Her emphasis on preparedness and precision underscores the importance of maintaining a strong, collective stance against Russian aggression while leveraging the EU’s吸引力to counteract external criticism and foster international cooperation.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/15/2026